Ideas

Can the US and Russia Agree to Disagree?

The relationship is cold, but there are still some areas of mutual interest.

Ideas

It Was Never All or Nothing in Afghanistan

This is not something we hoped to see from national security leaders and a president we admire so much.

Policy

‘It’s Time to End the Forever War’: Biden Announces Withdrawal from Afghanistan

As for the idea that U.S. troops on the ground would produce a solution: “We gave that argument a decade.”

Threats

Petraeus Trashes Biden Decision to Quit Afghanistan

Pulling out now is an “unforced error,” the former commander of U.S. troops in Afghanistan said. Other former war leaders say the threat can be managed.

Ideas

Afghanistan’s Situation Didn’t Change. American Politics Did

The Biden administration says it can fight terrorism in a way that its predecessors called impossible. Can it?

Policy

‘We Will Leave' Afghanistan Likely This Year, Biden Declares

But not by May 1. "It's not my intention to stay there for a long time, the question is how and under what circumstance,” the president said, at the White House.

Policy

Afghanistan Deadline is ‘Too Soon’ for Biden Administration, Top House Dem Says

‘Running for the exits pell-mell by May 1 is dangerous,’ said HASC Chairman Rep. Adam Smith, who backs pulling out ‘responsibly.’

Threats

War Avoided, Biden Transition Brings ‘Opportunity’ for New Iran Relations, Top General Says

‘Our goal was to deter a war,’ said CENTCOM’s Gen. McKenzie of the past few months, en route to the region for his first visit under the new administration.

Threats

Acting SecDef Miller Visits Troops in Afghanistan

Trump's designee returned 19 years after serving here, this time to oversee a controversial order to rush troops out before Joe Biden is sworn in.

Threats

Milley Meets With Taliban In Fragile Peace Negotiations

The Joint Chiefs chairman's meeting comes at a profound moment of uncertainty for the U.S.-brokered talks on Afghanistan.

Threats

NATO Gears Up for Biden, Big Decisions on Afghanistan, China

“We are faced with a very hard and difficult dilemma,” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in an exclusive interview.

Policy

US Has Achieved ‘Modicum of Success’ in Afghanistan, Top General Says

But years of military stalemate make negotiating with the Taliban the only option, Gen. Mark Milley says.

Ideas

A Better Way to Fight the Forever War

Why leaving a residual force in Afghanistan may be the only way to both end and win the war.

Threats

Trump Orders Hasty Afghanistan, Iraq Drawdowns to Beat Biden Inauguration

Majority Leader McConnell leads chorus of bipartisan, shocked opposition to the 11th hour order read by Acting Defense Secretary Miller.

Policy

What Would a Second Trump Term Mean For Foreign Policy?

The nuts and bolts may shift, but the approach is likely to stay the same.

Threats

Thousands of US Troops Will Remain in Afghanistan Past Christmas

They won't be home for Christmas. Trump's national security advisor says the president was only expressing a "desire" with that tweet.

Ideas

The 20th Year of the Afghanistan War Should Be America’s Last

U.S. national security interests do not depend on the outcome of the peace talks. It’s time to come home.